(Closed) Photographer regret… Help!

So I booked a photographer without meeting her… She was heading off on a trip, and said she’d had an enquiry about our date already. I saw her stuff, I liked it, I felt panic that we might lose her, and booked. She was away all of Feb and said she’d get in contact in March. I realised yesterday I had heard nothing… I emailed her and had a response this morning. She has given our wedding to her other photographer. I looked at his stuff and I’m really not impressed.

Do I have the right to back out of our agreement? Am I being silly, and need to meet the new photographer and see his work other than what’s on his website?

No contracts were signed, only $250 deposit was required for the date, and our wedding isn’t until March 2015.

You have an absolute right to back out of the agreement if you booked one photographer and got another. The work on his website is probably his better stuff, so I’d be very afraid if you don’t like his portfolio. Ask for a refund if you can’t get the photographer you wanted originally.

Luce587: I’d be upset about this! It’s really not cool that she has passed you off to someone else – it shouldn’t be her choice. Like the PP said, his website is likely to have some of his best work so if it’s not what you’re after, you should definitely find someone else and get your $ back (since there was no contract signed that said she could give your job to someone else).

My only word of caution would be to maybe check in with some alternative photographers and make sure they are available for your date before you cancel. It would be even worse if you couldn’t get a replacement. Good luck!

You have every right to speak with this photographer, and ask to back out, if you are contracted to work with him/her and you have been “passed off”.

Stay firm, and dont be afraid. Photographers work for their clients. If you aren’t being provided with satisfactory service then you need to let her know, and I feel that is grounds to back out.<br /><br />

IF you don’t feel 100% about this new guy, don’t do it! It’s better to lose the $250 and be ecstatic with your photos, than keep it and regret it! It’s only $250, that’s a tiny deposit… you’ll be fine! Look for someone else, I say!

Thanks everyone for the advice. My Fiance told me he thought we should sleep on things and see how we felt in the morning. I admit, I feel less panicked, but I’m also fairly convinced I want to choose my own photographer and not be lumped with someone’s second hand.

In regards to paying without the contract, the photographer was jetting off on a 6-week holiday, and had already had interest in our date. There was no time for us to arrange a meeting, and so she said if we sent her the deposit, we’d get the date. Foolish? Possibly, but I don’t think she’s a dishonest person. She admits that weddings aren’t her highest priority, as she does fine art photography and model shoots etc. Perhaps something else came up for our date.

That is completely bizarre. I’ve never heard of a photographer palming a wedding off to another shooter, unless it’s contractually agreed-upon that they can delegate to a second shooter, or another photographer within their business. And even then, the contract usually specifies which photographer will be there on the day.

Also, the fact that she promised that your deposit would secure the date, and then gave the date to someone else is absolutely appalling. I would demand for your money back (be completely firm, she’s 100% in the wrong here) and find another photographer you really love.

Do not book any photographer who doesn’t use contracts first of all. Second even if you had signed a contract, unless it specifically states that the photographer has the option to fill your date with different personnel you have cause to back out.

Luce587: I’d see if you could back out if you’re not impressed with his work and didn’t realize you wouldn’t have the principal photographer – if not, I’d walk away from the deposit and find a new vendor.